Some stereotypes are grossly unfair and not very flattering. That said, when the shoe fits, wear it, and as an Italian American, I fit the stereotype of being emotional (I know) and passionate (I think). Cest la vie.

But I realized today that in that gamut of emotions there is one I regret.

Anger.

I wish I hadn’t wasted so much emotional energy when I was younger in being angry.

In roughly two years of working for the Hardin County Extension Service, I have written about many things in this column. From drought, to insects, to disease, to flood, one would think I have just about covered it all by now.

But there is one of the most important aspects of Hardin County agriculture I have not written about, and that is people. The farmers, agribusiness men and women, teachers and community leaders involved in agriculture make this industry what it is in our county.

When she handed me her baby, my first grandbaby, I could have sworn — even though he had been born less than 10 minutes ago — that he raised his left eyebrow, winked at me, smiled and was about to whisper, “Aren’t you glad I finally arrived!”

Instead he opened his mouth wide and cried. And once again reality nudged me in the side.

Great attention is lavished on presidential debates because they are made-for-TV showcases but I can’t find much value in them.

Nothing a candidate does during a debate indicates how well he will serve.

During their four years in office, the president never faces a debate scenario. Is a person more qualified because he can stand behind a lectern for 90 minutes? That’s a better qualification for the person who will succeed Alex Trebek on “Jeopardy.”

Kentucky families are busier and are more financially strapped than ever. Unfortunately, dental care is one of the first expenses sacrificed. What's more, dental care is still out of reach for more than three-quarters of all children utilizing Medicaid dental benefits in Kentucky because of a shortage of dentists who accept it.

We can't let dental care, especially in the crucial early years, become an after-thought or a burden for families in Hardin County.

We’ve seen that many in Kentucky’s legislature and teachers unions are adamant enemies of school choice in the commonwealth.

The Kentucky Education Association has worked for years with powerful politicians to keep even the most rudimentary types of school choice – like the charter schools found in 41 other states and the District of Columbia – from winning out in Kentucky.

But a recent ruling has revealed another player in that axis against any type of educational liberty: the Kentucky Supreme Court.